Author's Notes:
-Happy new year everyone! And happy new decade! I still can't believe it's 2020. I wonder if people are still going to make 20/20 vision jokes... Anyway, I'm also happy to report that this chapter shouldn't be quite as heartbreaking as the last new year's day chapter. There's still sadness, but it's an improvement.
-And to Guest- You have to bear in mind, I wrote chapter two long before the book After the Fall was published. (RWBY's Fandom Wiki page states that it was published on June 25th, 2019.) And even though Roy Stallion is dead in canon (welp) and his teammates are missing (and possibly dead), for story purposes, they're all alive and back in Vacuo. Whether that will actually be relevant to the story itself remains to be seen.
-Also, wow, this is the longest chapter yet. There's a lot of information to unpack here. Hope you enjoy!
Now then, without further delay, let's begin.
The sunset had already set and the sky was slowly becoming darker. Jaune and 'Rouge' made their way towards the stadium to practice and refine their skills. Following Edom's instructions, they eventually found the open air coliseum- which was mostly intact save for a few structures that were crumbling, but for the most part, it was in great shape. There were a few people in the stadium, watching the fights unfold below. Nearby the arena there was a big TV screen that had a touch screen timer preset for an hour that had yet to start.
"What's with the clock?" Jaune asked.
"It's a timer." a policeman standing behind them answered. The two turned around to see him and another guy who was not in uniform. "Since many huntsmen trainees and other fighters like to use the stadium, they are encouraged to be considerate and take the arena for a maximum of one hour. Sometimes if there's nobody there you can get away with two or more, but that's pushing it."
"I see." 'Rouge' spoke. "We better get started then."
With her black-gloved hand, she touched the start button and she went into the arena. Jaune followed her into the arena, which was about as big a football field. As Jaune took out Crocea Mors, the nouveau femme fatale took out her recently acquired weapon- an ice dust convertible sword-gun, which she had dubbed Froidcoeur.
As the faux fashion model held Froidcoeur in its sword form, she breathed and felt like she was in the spotlight again, just like Pyrrha once was.
How far has Pyrrha gone? the masked heroine secretly thought to herself.
The sound of Jaune's battle cry brought her to reality. She quickly threw a wave of ice dust at him, yet she was not surprised as Jaune easily dodged her attack. The knight crept in towards the masked heroine and she pushed him back with another ice wave. As he approached her, she stood still and then swung her sword towards him only for him to counter with his own.
As their swords clashed against each other, 'Rouge' spoke, "I will admit, you've improved from your last duel."
Jaune asked her, "It's not enough, is it?"
She didn't answer him. Instead, she backflipped to the wall. Her feet met the wall as she knelt in and propelled herself forward with a jump. As she dashed towards him, she threw an ice wave at Jaune, causing him to go airborne and land on the ground, skidding back. As she reached him, she swung her sword down on him, but he blocked it in time with his shield. She brought her sword down further, trying to get him to surrender, but he twisted his legs around hers and turned, bringing her tumbling to the ground.
"You play dirty!" 'Rouge' exclaimed.
"So do you!" Jaune retorted.
The faux fashion model smirked. "Touché."
She rolled away and threw an ice wave at his feet, freezing the lower part of his right leg. He tried to get free, but it was no use. 'Rouge' charged towards him and punched him the chest, sending him flying. He hit the wall back-first and fell to the ground. The audience made 'Oohs' as he got hurt.
"That's gotta hurt." one man said.
"Is that all you got?!" 'Rouge' asked.
Jaune stood up with a smirk. "You ain't seen nothing yet."
The two charged towards each other once again.
Meanwhile, in Mistral, the night had already fallen over the land as team CUBB traveled down the mountain with their prisoner. From the entrance to the first level of the city, they could see the streets lit up by lamps. As the heroines entered the city, two civilians, both girls, noticed that Maura Celandine was tied up, gagged and hoisted on Carmina's left shoulder.
"Is that... Maura Celandine?" one of them asked.
"She's been captured!" another answered.
A chorus of voices, both male and female, cheered in jubilation.
"Hooray!"
"Wahoo!
"Yay!"
"Go huntresses!"
"That's team CUBB of Haven Academy!" a little girl pointed out.
"Make way for our heroes!" a little boy quickly added.
Ayress smiled confidently as she took the lead. "Step aside folks, your heroes have arrived."
The Griffin sisters waved to their fans and followers.
"Thank you!" Blanka greeted.
"You're welcome!" Carmina responded.
Maza, lagging behind her teammates, still looked saddened and fearful as she and her teammates went forth, but nobody noticed.
This isn't right... she thought to herself. Maura isn't...
Blanka faintly heard patterns of rapidly ascending and descending notes in the distance. "Do I hear... music?"
Maza looked less tense as the string music hit her ears. Her teammates heard the sound as well. Curious, Blanka followed the sound and her teammates followed suit. The sound led them to a man standing in the middle of the sidewalk with a metal table a few feet to his right. On that table were a few instrument cases in varying sizes and shapes. There were closed cases for a flute, trumpet, guitar, accordion and a marimba. There was also a harmonica as well as an empty viola case. Not too far from the instrument table, the musician stood with his viola and bow in his hands with a small crowd watching him. As he finished playing a fast solo with a slower finish, the audience clapped for him and gave him varying amounts of Lien.
Blanka gave the musician a few Lien. "Ah, VV. Long time no see."
Viola Varga, more commonly referred to by his nickname and stage name of VV (or sometimes Double V), was a Latino-looking man in his mid twenties with brown eyes, tanned skin and black hair. He wore a red charro (or mariachi suit), paired with a black bow-tie and black dress shoes.
"Greetings, ladies." He noted the fugitive on Carmina's shoulders. "I see you have succeeded in tracking down the most dangerous woman in Mistral."
Ayress smiled as she folded her arms. "I'm surprised you didn't join the hunt for her head."
"Oh come now Ayress. Catching criminals isn't important to me. Music, and my family, are what really matters." Another audience member gave him some Lien. "Besides, I knew someone would catch her eventually."
"Do you think you could play us a victory ballad?" Blanka requested.
"Certainly. Any specific instrument?"
She shrugged, smiling. "Surprise me."
"Trumpet it is then. Uno momento, por favor."
He put away his viola and bow and then got out his trumpet. He made sure it was in tune and started to play a happy, upbeat piece that screamed victory. Blanka began to dance to VV's music as most people happily listened to his performance. Some even moved their heads in time with the music. But as everyone else celebrated Maura's capture, Maza's sorrow returned, and her sorrowful eyes met Maura's. Bound and gagged, Maura couldn't say anything, but Maza could.
This isn't right. Maza thought to herself. Maura isn't guilty. I have to do something. But how can I let my teammates know? I don't want to rock the boat, but if I'm right, and Maura is executed, then an innocent life will be lost for no good reason. I have to tell them that Maura is innocent before we reach the Catacombs. But how?
She wanted to say something, but she remained silent as the musician gave a sudden, powerful ending to his performance. Blanka clapped excitedly while Carmina and Ayress gave him more modest applause. Maza didn't applaud, but luckily, no one noticed. Blanka gave him another tip.
"Thanks for the performance." Carmina stated. "We should probably get going to the Catacombs though. My shoulder's beginning to ache."
"Alright. Goodbye and good luck!"
He continued to play music, this time a sad tune from the harmonica. The quartet moved forward, their prisoner in tow. Maza's troubled look returned.
Come on, Maza. Say something!
Back in Aquarian, 'Rouge' and Jaune continued their duel. Jaune stood with white aura a few inches above his ankles as his opponent fired wave after wave of dust at him. He dodged them all with ease and his aura slowly crept from his ankles to his knees. Then he went to her in a dash of speed, kicking her in the knee towards wall. She landed back-first into the wall and Jaune transferred the super-charged aura from the lower part of his legs to the upper part of his arms. Before she could catch her breath, Jaune shoved her against the wall, pinning her wrists there.
"Looks I win, Rouge."
She smiled. "You did, but you were lucky, just like you were in your duel against your sister!"
Jaune frowned. "Hey, you congratulated me for that duel!"
"I did, but my point still stands." He exhaled and let her go. The aura around his arms disappeared. 'Rouge' folded her arms, still holding her sword in her right hand. "I could still defeat you easily. Best two out of three!"
The knight smirked. "You're on!"
The second duel began with the masked heroine putting her sword to her side and charging towards Jaune. She gave him a series of punches of to the arms, causing him to drop his sword and shield. As they all hit him, he took a few blows before she tried to kick him. As she continued this, she reviewed her battle plan in her mind.
I just have to keep him on his toes. Prevent him from thinking too much. 'Rouge' thought.
Soon Jaune recovered his weapons and struck at her with her sword, only for her to counter with Froidcouer. She then jumped a few steps back and switched Froidcouer to its gun form. Aiming carefully to avoid a fatal blow, she took a few shoots at him, only for him to dodge with ease.
Tangerine taught him well. Jaune came rushing in with aura surrounding his feet. Perhaps even too well.
She quickly dodged his advances and his series of kicks. He then smirked and pulled her hood down on her, leaving her unable to see. She readjusted her hood and looked for him, only for him to disappear. He was hiding. Where was he? She felt him behind her, and he attempted to grab her wrist, but she dashed forward. It was not enough however, and he grabbed her cloak instead. Her loose crimson locks and gorgeous image was revealed to all.
"Nice try, Jaune, but you can't catch me!"
She swung several ice dust waves at him and the camera zoomed in on the ice dust before transitioning to...
A waterfall seen from the lowest level of Mistral city. Team CUBB stood in a deserted corner of the city with their prisoner on Carmina's shoulder. To their right was an area the size of a tennis court stone wall, only accessible by a locked stone door. In front of them was a trapdoor that lead to the prison itself.
"The Catacombs." Ayress spoke. "Neither thought I'd have to drag a criminal here."
"Well with the destruction of Argus Harbor, this is the best and most secure prison in the entire kingdom." Blanka stated.
Carmina frowned. "Let's get this over with."
"Wait!" Maza spoke aloud. "This isn't right."
Ayress glared at her, while the Griffin sisters gave her confused looks. Carmina looked towards her with a raised eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I don't think we've got the right person. Maura's not guilty!"
The other three members of team CUBB exchanged confused looks before Maura shook off the rope gagging her mouth. She then stated, "She is right. I'm innocent. I was framed by my backstabbing lieutenant Athena Bruna. Why it is that only she can see it, and the rest of you can not?"
"Because you're a liar and you've deceived her." Carmina answered. "But you're not going to deceive the rest of us!"
"This is not what it seems!" Maura protested.
"That's what they all say." Ayress responded.
"It's not what you think. I'm not a criminal. If you turn me in, I'll surely die for crimes that aren't mine."
"But they are yours, so your death would be a blessing."
Maza gasped at Ayress's cruelty, while the Griffin sisters seemed unfazed. "You are blind, all of you." Maura stated. "You believe that I'm guilty, even though I am innocent. If I die for crimes that aren't mine, then all of you shall meet the same fate. You will die at the hands of a vengeful madman blinded by rage."
Ayress scoffed and dismissed her prediction. "Oh please. We'll never be taken alive. We're the best of the best."
"But-!"
She rebound the rope on Maura's mouth, silencing her. The darker one opened the trap door for her teammates. "Come on, girls. Let's go."
The leader quickened her pace, and her sister followed. Maza sighed and walked forward somberly, Ayress trailing her. There was nothing she could do. Her teammates didn't believe her. As they descended into the first level of the prison, they entered in an underground facility with the stairway and first floor made of stone, lit up by torches and artificial lights. They soon reached the end of the staircase, they saw a front desk with a computer and two blue torches on the wall behind it. On both sides of the desk were two different hallways. The bars of cells could faintly be seen in the dim light. At front desk was a police officer, who noticed their arrival.
"Team CUBB? What brings you here?" he asked.
Carmina threw Maura off her shoulder and onto the ground. She groaned in pain as she was tossed onto the floor. "We have found the leader of the Mistralian White Fang."
"Well done, ladies." the officer congratulated. "We'll take her in to be recorded in the system. Guards, take her out of my sight!"
Maura was handcuffed and grabbed by the arms of the guards. As she was dragged down the right hallway, she got her gag off and protested, "But I'm innocent, I tell you! Innocent!"
Maza sadly watched as she was dragged away from them. "Now then, while we gather your cash reward, we will have to prepare evidence for Maura's trial. Since you are the huntresses who caught her, you guys are key witnesses. Would you be willing to testify against her?"
"Of course we will." Carmina answered. "I want to be sure this vile criminal gets what she deserves."
"Excellent." He got out his flashlight, turned it on and motioned for the ladies to follow him. "Come with me then."
The first three members of team CUBB walked forward into the left hallway. Although she was reluctant, Maza trailed behind them, not wanting to be left alone in the darkness. She felt a cold chill creep in, and she really did not like this place. Eventually, they reached a wooden door and entered the office. The officer pulled down the blinds and turned on the lights.
"Ugh. Light hurts... Have to readjust my eyes." He sighed. "That's the one thing that sucks about working down there." He cleared his throat. "Alright, down to business." He looked at the calendar on the wall. "It is... January 21st. We should be able to have her trialed by February 4th. That should give us more than enough time to get your reward, gather evidence and summon a jury. Let's begin."
As the second duel between 'Rouge' and Jaune was shown, the duel ended with 'Rouge' placing her heel on Jaune's back.
She smirked. "I win."
"Don't get cocky yet, Rouge!" She got her foot off him. "We got one more duel to go!"
The screen split into two vertical halves; one with a white background behind Jaune on the right, and one with a red background behind Pyrrha on the other. The halves were separated by blue lightning.
A montage began with 'Rouge' firing a wave of dust at Jaune, only for him to dodge, followed by Jaune shielding himself from the ice dust, and Jaune dodging his opponent's kicks and punches. The montage ended with the two grinding swords against the other, both glaring at each other. A buzzing sound heard and the fighters stopped apply pressure to their swords, letting them down. The alarm was going off, and their time was up.
"Well, looks like our time's up." 'Rouge' spoke. "Good duel, Jaune. You've done a good job."
"I would say we both did well."
The masked heroine looked around. "Yeah, we did."
The scene transitioned to 'Rouge' and Jaune walking away from the coliseum. The masked heroine was a few steps ahead of her knight. Even with her hood up and her face obscured by it, Jaune could tell by her slight head-hanging that she was sad. He took her hand in his. She suddenly stopped.
"Rouge?" Jaune asked. She took her hand away from his. "Rouge?" He looked around to see if anyone was around. "Pyrrha?" She blinked sadly as she heard her real name be mentioned. "What's the matter?"
"Jaune... I feel so scared. I'm worried about losing myself even more. I feel like I have to act so differently from how Pyrrha did. No matter who I am, I'm still faking it."
"Is that why you haven't been very affectionate in the public eye?"
"Yeah, I mean, I'm supposed to play the role of a huntress and you're a trainee. I fear people would get suspicious if they saw us together as a couple."
"I don't think they'd be too concerned. I mean, we're both eighteen and you're pretending to be twenty to twenty one."
"It's not the fake age gap that concerns me. It's the teacher-student relationship that I fear would ring alarm bells. If it was Pyrrha, it wouldn't be a problem. But... Pyrrha Nikos is long gone and now... she's nothing more than a distant memory..."
"But, you are..." Jaune began.
"I don't know who I am." The masked heroine quickly added. "Part of me just wants to forget that Pyrrha Nikos ever existed."
"Pyr... Rouge." Jaune took her hands. "I know you're trying to protect yourself, and by extension the rest of us. But you can't run forever."
"I can try." She sighed and took her hands away. "How did it ever come to this? Running away from one threat, chasing after another..." She lifted her hood down. "Losing everything... including myself..." 'Rouge' ruefully brought her hand to her red mask- the silver markings on it even more visible.
"That's not true! You still have your friends!" Jaune exclaimed.
"That is true... And I still have you." She threw her arms around him. "You're one of the few people that ever looked at Pyrrha as a normal person. After she barely survived her last duel with Cinder, she was no longer the Invincible Girl, but she already wasn't the Invincible Girl. The destiny she was promised, ripped away from her... Lost..."
"Rouge, can I ask you something?" She sadly nodded yes. "Why did Pyrrha chose to challenge Cinder in the first place?"
"Well..." Pyrrha reverted back to her normal voice, speaking softly. "I've thought about it lot over the last few weeks, or perhaps even months. And if I be completely honest, part of it was for the sake of power. I was confused, angry and to a small extent, jealous. Another part was because I thought she had to be stopped to save the city. I now realize that I didn't have to face her. Part of me wishes that I hadn't. If I had just looked the other way, if I stayed with you... We wouldn't even be in this situation right now." Jaune remained silent, not knowing what to say. She turned away from him. "I fear that I'm trying to do the impossible, and that I will be imprisoned, killed or worse because of this quest in one way or another. And what if you and our other friends meet that same fate as well?" She looked back at him. "We're on the verge of losing everything... So, let me ask you this; If I got locked away, and we lost it all today, tell me honestly- would you still love the same?"
"Yes, I would. You have no idea how incredibly stupid I felt, and to an extent, still feel, about not realizing that I loved you earlier. And if you were locked away, I would fight every guard and then some just to reach you."
She blinked. "You'd really risk everything to save me?"
"I would. You mean everything to me. I lost you once, twice if you don't the dissolving of team JNPR, and I never want to lose you again." He smiled, giving a chuckle. "I suppose that's the one thing that isn't lost. Our love for each other..."
The red-haired warrior faintly smiled. "Maybe we haven't lost everything."
"Mon amour..." He gently kissed the masked heroine. His love melted the ice-cold heart that she tried to put up. Unable to resist, she threw his arms around him as he cupped her face, his fingertips touching the mask she wore. "Ma belle femme fatale..." He whispered into her ear. "I love you, Pyrrha."
The two stood in sweet silence for a moment. The two broke apart and turned around, seeing a woman with garnet red hair in a bob cut, red eyes, pale skin, and a graceful, slender figure. She wore a long, floor length red wine colored dress. On her right index finger was a gold ring with a princess-cut garnet gemstone. Around her left shoulder strap was a pin with the horse emblem of the Trojan Alliance. Behind her were four bodyguards, three male and one female.
Jaune nervously looked around. "How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough to see you kiss, which might I add, was adorable." the red haired woman spoke. She turned to the masked heroine. "Rouge Gorlois, I believe?"
"That would be me." 'Rouge' spoke in her finest French accent. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Yes, I just wanted to say that I saw your fight at the coliseum and you were really good out there." She got a pen and notepad. "Oh, and I would like your autograph."
"Why certainly. Who do I make it out to?"
"Garnet Scarlatti."
'Rouge' wrote as Jaune asked, "Scarlatti? As in mayor Scarlatti?"
The mayor of Aquarian smirked. "The one and only. Mayor of this fine city and loyal member of the Trojan Alliance."
'Rouge' forced herself to continue smiling as she finished signing the paper. "Here you go."
Garnet received her autograph. "Thank you, and have a good night!"
"You too!" 'Rouge' said back.
"Good night!" Jaune said to them.
Both groups walked away from each other, and as soon as 'Rouge' and Jaune were out of earshot, the former spoke, "Phew. That was close."
"No kidding. You did write Rouge Gorlois and not Pyrrha Nikos right?"
"I did. Hopefully, she won't be smart enough to figure it out." She added in her normal voice, "I hope."
Meanwhile, the spirit of Ozpin teleported to the Blossom Plaza in Zephyros. In the dead of night, it felt colder than ever. The cherry tree had lost its petals and the city itself, its people and nature, were in slumber.
Zephyros. The village of flowers. The closest place to Oscar's farm I could get to. It's a pity that spirits can only teleport to places they were in their lifetime. Or in my case, all of my lifetimes. He sighed. One would think by now that I've roamed every inch of this planet. But alas, this is not the case. He sighed. I better get moving. I have a long way to go. From here, it's another 214 miles to Oscar's farm. Not the longest distance I've walked to find my successor, but this still won't be fun.
Ozpin started the trek through the plaza and made his way to the train station. From there, he walked along a dirt path with only the shattered moon to keep him company. The road he walked was a very lonely one, with no end in sight.
214 miles... an inquiring voice spoke. Assuming 10 miles a day, it'll be... roughly three weeks to get there.
But that's assuming no stops. the hermit replied.
Why would he stop? the drunkard asked. As he's in spirit form, he can't tire, need food or water, nor have to take bathroom breaks. He could just keep walking until he gets there.
Or he could just run there. said the guy who was eaten by Grimm. It would be faster.
But running blindly when he doesn't know the entire path isn't a good idea. the second guy responded.
He's right, ya know. said the guy who had to wait over two years.
Do you have to rub it in? asked his successor.
Ozpin sighed. It was going to a long night and a long hike.
The next day in Aquarian, the quintet had their bags packed and were about to leave Edom's cottage. Team JNPR stood in the living room/kitchen/dining area while Ruby was sitting on the couch, reading one of the two books she found at the library. She was a few pages in, indicated by a green slip of paper acting as a bookmark.
"Do you really have to go?" Gliss asked sadly.
"Sadly, we do." Ruby put the book into her backpack and stood up. "But don't worry. Perhaps we'll be back someday." She smiled. "Bye Edom, bye Gliss. We wish you nothing but the best!"
"Who knows?" Nora smirked wickedly. "If we ever come back here, maybe we'll break Scarlatti's legs."
"Let's not get too carried away." Ren reminded her. He turned to the residents of the cottage. "I hope things get better for you guys. Goodbye, and thanks for helping us in our time of need."
"Thanks again for helping us." Jaune said. "I know it's not likely that the CCT will be restored anytime soon, but you think I can get your number just in case?"
"Sure." Edom answered. He typed in his number and contact info into Jaune's scroll.
Jaune smiled. "Thank you. Goodbye and good luck. With everything."
Pyrrha knelt to Gliss and hugged her. "Goodbye Gliss."
Gliss returned her hug. "Bye, Pyrrha. Stay safe and good luck."
After breaking the hug, Pyrrha turned to the former business owner. "Goodbye Edom. If for any reason we find ourselves here again, we know someone who can help us."
"No problem. I wish you best of luck with your travels and mission."
The red-haired woman breathed in and smiled. "Thank you."
Putting on her mask once again, 'Rouge' and her 'trainees' stepped out of Edom's cottage and went out into the cobblestone streets of Old Aquarian. They were seen walking in New Aquarian. They soon made their way to the gate on the opposite side from where they entered.
As they left the city, 'Rouge' thought to herself, Will this mask really be able to hide Pyrrha forever? Or will everything catch up to me?
Several hours later, well after their departure, Garnet sat at her desk in her office facing towards the door. Garnet's desk consisted of brown wooden desk with a computer and a wireless mouse. To her left were stacks of papers and letters. By her feet on the left side in front of the drawers were three different bins- trash, recycle, and burn. On the right side of the desk was a half full coffee mug with the words Got Coffee? on the side. A few feet from the mug was the paper with Rouge Gorlois's signature. Behind the desk was a painted portrait of Garnet Scarlatti folding her arms with a smirk on her face.
In the lower left corner of the room there was also a busted paper shatter that had not been replaced or disposed of. In the upper left corner there was a bookshelf with several books. There were so many books that it was actually overflowing. On her right in the middle of the wall was a roaring fireplace. To the right of the fireplace was a tray of logs. In front of the door about fifteen feet from each other, two red couches stood parallel to each other. On the left couch were two huntsmen, one of which was reading a book. On the right side were a huntsman and huntress. The huntsman was reading a magazine as huntress stood by with her weapon, a fire dust sword at the ready.
A knock on the door was heard. "Come in." Garnet answered.
The second guard who was interrogating Jaune and his teammates walked into the room and everyone had their attention on him. The book and magazine were put down and the huntsmen and huntress stood up. The guard spoke, "Ms. Scarlatti. I have news to report. Just yesterday, a group of five warriors entered this city during my guard shift. They consisted of a team of semi-pros from Beacon and a huntress from Haven named Rouge Gorlois. Normally I would not give reports as to who enters or leaves the city, but something seemed very suspicious."
The mayor raised an eyebrow. "Suspicious? What could be bad about Rouge? She's a very impressive fighter and she was nice enough to give me an autograph."
"Well, the unfortunate reality is that she's a fake."
Scarlatti's bodyguards were visibly shocked, but only one of them gasped in shock as Garnet gasped. "A fake?! But how can this be?"
"When Rouge and her friends went through the gates, something seemed off to me. She was wearing a mask, looked a lot like Pyrrha Nikos and she spoke a lot of statements."
"Explain."
"For starters, she claimed that she was a member of team LUNR, which lost all of its members over the course of several years. She said her teammates were Luna, Urdina, and Nubia. She also said that her team didn't participate in any Vytal Festival Tournaments due to missing members. I know that Haven's teams stick together no matter what, but what seemed suspicious was that she only gave first names and not last. She also claimed she found her trainees by saving them from the Grimm and a Grimm dragon. I was skeptical about the dragon, but I was able to find one stone picture of it, so she might not have been lying there, but her team really didn't sit well with me.
"So I did some research and reviewed over all the footage of the last Vytal Festival Tournament. Haven Academy had all their teams participate in the tournament last year, where Rouge said she didn't because she had no teammates. Also, team LUNR of Haven doesn't really exist. The closest was team of LUNA of Shade, who graduated three years ago. Also, team LUNA's members are as follows; Luna Diaz, Urdina Morris, Nubia Nyx, and Rouge Arc. Those first three names were the exact same as the names Rouge Gorlois mentioned. This can't be a coincidence. Something is very fishy here."
"Who else was present with Gorlois?"
"Three members of team JNPR and one member of team RWBY. In each respective group, they are Jaune Arc, Nora Valkyrie, Lie Ren and Ruby Rose."
Her eyebrows raised in fear. "No... it... it can't be... Unless..." She turned to the painting on the wall and moved it aside, revealing a safe with a pass code. "There's only one way to be sure." The mayor punched in a nine digit combination and the safe door opened. Inside was a picture of Pyrrha Nikos that had her signature on it. She placed it on her desk next to Rouge Gorlois's signature and carefully examined them. Upon careful examination, she realized that they were both written similarly and the r's, i's, o's, and s's were all the same. Garnet gasped once again. "It's true..." She spoke horrified. "Rouge Gorlois and Pyrrha Nikos are one and the same!"